The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-02-21
THE BRIG SELMA
wrecked Off HaaheO, Near HiIO, KIa-
Waii-NO Lives Lost.

our correspondent at HliO writes as
follows: The brig Selma left San Fran
CISCO January 30th, in command of Cap
tain VIM. Matson arrived at Hilo Feb
ruary 18th. The weather was very rough
in coming around the reef near Wanna
ku. The Captain thought it best to come
to anchor, as the wind was changeable
The chain parted, and he put out the
other anchor, which dragged so the YES
sci was driven on the rocks near Wal
naku at the base of a pail about 125 feet
high, almost perpendicular. The people
from HilO saw her sad condition, and
went in large numbers through the
darkness and mud to aid if need be in
saving life, and some did valuable SER
vice in getting the passengers ashore. A
line was got on shore and fastened to a
rock. \ chain made of rope was used,
and passengers were pulled ashore by
those who had risked their lives to 90
down the pail. The passengers thought
several times they would be swept from
the deck, as the waves dashed over the
vessel continuously. The passengers
were Mr. and Mrs w. A. Burt, Mrs.
Ferris, Mrs Gillin, Mr.. McChesney,
Miss Low, Marcus Blackman, Mrs. @.
w. Patty and child. The child was sep
arated from the mother and taken in
boat over to Waiakea. The boat lost all
her oars and had to be sculled. Was
six hours in getting to Waiakea. The
mother thought her child was certainly
dead did not know what had become
OF it. The vessel lies with her stern so
near shore that one can get on her with
a ladder. Her side is stove in. She lies
evidently on large boulder. There is
lot of lumber in her hold, which keeps
her up. A quantity of lime got on fire,
and water had to be brought down the
pail and poured into the vessel before
the main hatch could be opened, which
was done on the 18th Sunday, when
large force of men were at work getting
out the sadly damaged freight by fire
and water Many members of the For
eign Church were there to aid, such as
J. A. Scott, d. H. Hitchcock and others,
and large scOW took out freight. Each
citizen felt personal interest in the YES
sci. The Captain has always been a
fayorite here, as he is so kind to his pas
sengers.
1t is a sad loss to Captain Matson, as
he had much merchandise on his own
account on the vessel. All felt glad no
lives were lost. Special mention must
be made of the daring efforts of ReXford
Hitchcock, son of Z. q. Hitchcock, Esq,
to save life at great risk of his own. The
receipts for freight would have been
/ 81, 700. No insurance on the vessel.
! The brig came in without pilot as the
Captain is so familiar with the harbor.
No one blames him. The passengers
| baggage was saved, but some was in
greatly damaged condition. Some
beautiful wedding dresses and furniture
was spoiled. There were two mules, two
COWS and five hogs killed. Great interest
was shown to save the live stock, and
| most of it was saved. There was con-
| siderable stealing of clothing and watches
| by persons who got on board. A passen-
| ger found his wedding suit on a native,
also his gold watch. The sailors will re-
turn to California by the schooner Dora
| Bluhm. The Selma was chartered for two
trips only, when Captain Matson ex-
poets to have his new brig ready thati is
being built for him by Turner. 1t is
particularly designed for the Hilo trade,
with extra large and beautiful cabin ac'
commodations The Selma has been
sold at auction for $40 to j. A. Scott,
Manager OF the Wainaku Mill.
J. A. NJ.